How to buy a used bike

[Mookie]

The hills are getting to me. After a few years of commuting on a pedal bike, I would like to upgrade to an ebike. As this is my first electric bike and I am unsure about what I am really looking forand what features I might want, I would prefer to start off with a used bike. I live near a major and bike-friendly city, so I expect to be able to find some decent options... I just need to know how to identify a good deal when I see one.

Does anyone have any advice on how to evaluate used bikes? Is age or mileage more important? Is there a good way to measure the health of the battery? how long can I expect a bike to last? Are there any common gotchas to watch out for?

Any and all good advice is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Barry S]

In looking for my first ebike, I had never considered a used one until I saw a posting on a local ebike shop's website for a used Motiv Shadow for just $1000. Without getting long-winded, I'll just sum up the experience by saying the bike did not look as nice in-person as the online picture and neither did it ride well. While this experience was unfortunate, I would still shop for a used ebike from a reputable LBS that sold ebikes as their mainstay before buying from a private party.

When something goes wrong with the bike after my purchase, I can return to the LBS I bought it from and perhaps get them to work with me on the repair cost if it occurred shortly after purchase. On the subject of repair, I wouldn't buy a used ebike from a LBS without some type of short-term warranty like 30-90 days at least. If the LBS has faith in what he's selling, he shouldn't balk at such a request.

Just my 2-cents.

 

[J.R.]

Mileage and age are the most important with ebikes. It's the battery! The most expensive component on an ebike. They degrade so easily with time, poor charge maintenance and plain old use. Treated good or bad, they die. A good ebike battery pack can cost $400 to $1000. Next most expensive is suspension. That's easy to evaluate whether it was taken care of. Except for the frame, most other components are reletively inexpensive.

For the battery issue alone, I would only consider a fairly new, used bike if it were cheap! Cheap enough I could buy another battery and still be happy with the purchase price of the bike and new battery. For me that deal would be a bike less than 2 years old that's selling for 1/3 or less than original MSRP. I would also need to know I could get a replacement battery pack.

I think you can do better looking for a demo or left over 2017, that has a full warranty. This time of year is perfect to find those deals.

 

[surfstar]

Buy new at used price

Seriously. Look at the clearance prices of 2016 & 2017 bikes right now and you can do this easily.
After a year of use, your bike would have a higher resale and make up for any initial price difference.

 

[Mookie]

Thanks for the advice. This is useful - I have started calling local shops to see if any have discounted models from last year left. No luck yet, but I will keep looking.

In the meantime, I found a 2014 Stromer ST 1 Elite with only 156 miles on it. The owner is asking $1500.

 

[surfstar]

I just shopped (via phone) Stromer at the crazy e bike shop. 2015 v1 elite $1400, 2016 st1 Platinum $1750 $1875 w/ city kit
or
https://www.bikesourceonline.com/product/raleigh-electric-misceo-sport-ie-255681-1.htm
https://highcountryebikes.com/electric-bikes/top-brands/haibike/sduro-hardnine-street-4-5/

Sizes may be limited, but there are some great deals right now. I'd skip used and dive right in. That's what I did (need to update my searching thread with details)

 

[Mr. Coffee]

Thanks for the advice. This is useful - I have started calling local shops to see if any have discounted models from last year left. No luck yet, but I will keep looking.

In the meantime, I found a 2014 Stromer ST 1 Elite with only 156 miles on it. The owner is asking $1500.

Unless the owner was very careful to condition the batter frequently (like once a month) during the last 3 or 4 years, the battery is likely to be completely ruined.